Chelsea have reacted furiously to the Premier League's decision to bring their match at Everton forward by 48 hours next month to be broadcast live on television. The move will "undermine the sporting integrity of the competition" by favouring their title rivals, they insist.

Avram Grant's team are due to face Wigan on Monday April 14, to be screened on Setanta Sports, and will now have to play at Goodison Park only three days later in a match to be shown live on Sky Sports. They will have a warm-down session on the Tuesday and light training and travel on the Wednesday - only two days between potentially crucial fixtures, whereas Manchester United and Arsenal have five days between their own games.

Complaints have been registered with senior officials at the Premier League, Chelsea having made representation "to the highest level". The league insisted last night that, given the various pressures under which it is operating, the date was "the fairest that could be achieved", but that will do little to placate the London club, who have not ruled out the possibility of taking legal action to restore the fixture to its original date.

"Chelsea are extremely disappointed with the announcement today regarding the Everton fixture," confirmed a spokesman. "We believe the decision to hold the match on Thursday April 17 undermines the sporting integrity of the competition by giving our rivals for the Premier League title an unnecessary competitive advantage at a critical time of the season, with more recovery time from their previous match and preparation time for their next fixture when we have to play two games during the same period."

United will host Arsenal in front of the television cameras on Sunday April 13 and the two clubs will not play again until the following Saturday, against Blackburn Rovers and Reading respectively. Chelsea also expressed dismay at the disruption the switch would cause their travelling supporters. "The decision sets a dangerous precedent in changing match days still further when fixture congestion does not exist and when a sensible solution regarding other television matches that weekend was suggested," added the statement. "Football has benefited greatly from the backing of television, and Chelsea [have benefited] as much as anyone else. However, this decision is one step too far and we reserve all rights on our position."

"The compilation of the fixture list is a complex procedure that faces enormous pressure from international match and European competition dates, as well as the need to balance the important requirements of the police and our broadcasters," offered a spokesman for the Premier League. "We are also required by the European Commission to televise 138 matches per season, which brings its own inevitable pressures. Under these difficult circumstances, this date was seen as the fairest that could be achieved."

Chelsea, in second place after 14 league games unbeaten, welcome Middlesbrough to Stamford Bridge tomorrow with Grant urging John Terry to "prove himself" again after the defender failed to regain the England captaincy and produced an indifferent display against France in midweek. Terry saw Rio Ferdinand handed the armband and was substituted at half-time complaining of a tightening in his hamstring, leaving the national coach, Fabio Capello, still waiting to witness the defender's best form.

"In football, even if you've proved yourself in the past as a captain, you always need to prove yourself again and again," said Grant. "It doesn't matter whether it's about the captaincy or any other position, whether it's striker, midfielder or defender, people say you're only as good as your last game. I don't necessarily believe that, but you do need to keep proving yourself."